The group made their way through the spacious corridor of the company, heading out for dinner after Leo's successful project. Their footsteps echoed lightly against the marble floor. As they walked toward the exit, Evelyn turned to them with a confident smile and a playful glint in her eyes.
"How about I give you all a ride in my car? It'll be faster, more comfortable, and I promise you an experience you won't forget."
Everyone looked at her for a moment before exchanging glances. Then, one by one, they nodded in agreement. No one would refuse an offer like that—especially when it came from someone as famous as Evelyn.
But the real surprise was waiting for them outside.
As they stepped out, they were greeted by a sleek black limousine stretching along the curb, gleaming under the streetlights. They froze in place, while a few passersby cast curious glances their way, wondering if the vehicle belonged to a high-profile executive or a celebrity.
Lilia, staring at the car in disbelief, tugged at the edge of her coat and whispered, "Is this… is this her car?"
Leo, equally astonished, turned to Evelyn and hesitated before asking, "Wait… Evelyn, this is yours?"
Evelyn let out a soft chuckle, giving him a knowing look before replying with confidence, "Of course. Didn't I mention it before?"
Jonathan raised an eyebrow, taking in the sight of the limousine before muttering in awe, "I had no idea the entertainment industry could be this lucrative… Maybe I chose the wrong career path."
Evelyn laughed and arched a teasing brow. "You can still change paths, Jonathan. I think you have a nice voice—maybe you'll be a star someday?"
Jonathan waved a hand theatrically. "I'll keep my talent reserved for shower performances, thank you very much!"
The group erupted in laughter, but curiosity soon got the better of them, and they stepped into the limousine one by one.
Inside, plush seats and dim ambient lighting gave the space an air of sophistication. A soft blue glow illuminated the ceiling, adding a futuristic touch. Everyone settled in comfortably as Evelyn took a seat beside Leo.
She leaned slightly toward him, placing her hand on the screen at the front, and spoke in a lighthearted tone, though there was a hidden meaning beneath her words.
"Since I'm the host, I'll be choosing our dinner spot. I hope you don't mind, Leo."
Leo looked at her for a moment before offering a casual shrug. "I don't mind, but you make it sound like I had a choice to begin with."
Evelyn chuckled, her voice soft as she replied, "You do have a choice… to trust me."
Across from them, Lilia watched the exchange in silence. She hadn't expected Evelyn to sit so close to Leo, and a strange, unfamiliar feeling tugged at her. She bit her lip lightly, crossing her arms as she muttered to herself in a slightly childish, sulking tone.
"She's sitting way too close to him…"
No one seemed to notice her reaction—except for Jonathan. He arched a brow before leaning toward Elena and whispering mischievously, "Did you see that? Lilia… doesn't look too happy."
Elena smirked slightly, her gaze remaining steady. "Oh, I noticed. But I'd rather let her figure it out on her own."
Jonathan chuckled but said nothing more.
The limousine began moving, and the atmosphere inside was a mix of excitement and anticipation. Everyone was eager to see where Evelyn had chosen for dinner. None of them expected the destination to be as special as it turned out to be.
After some time, the car finally came to a stop in front of a modest restaurant tucked into the corner of an old street. A wooden sign hung above the entrance, glowing warmly under soft lights. The air carried the rich scent of spices and freshly baked bread—familiar, strikingly familiar.
One by one, they stepped out of the limousine, but Leo remained standing at the entrance, staring at the sign in disbelief. Running a hand through his hair, he murmured, as if unable to believe his own eyes, "Wait… this restaurant…!"
Evelyn stepped beside him, her eyes glimmering with nostalgia as she said in a quiet voice, "Yes, Leo… It's the place we used to come to when we were kids."
Leo turned to her, then back at the restaurant, as old memories slowly surfaced—memories he never thought he would revisit, especially not with everyone here.
-------
Under the warm lights of the restaurant, where the air was filled with the aroma of fresh bread and delicious spices, a small girl with pink hair and sparkling eyes sat, her legs swinging beneath the chair. She lifted her head toward the old man standing behind the counter, pleading with an insistent tone and eyes reflecting her childish hunger.
"Mister, mister! Can I have a plate of apple honey tarts, please?"
She wasn't alone. Sitting beside her was a boy with messy red hair and mischievous eyes that sparkled with excitement. He waved his hand enthusiastically, calling out with the confidence of someone making an official announcement:
"Uncle Joe! I want a plate too! No, actually, make it two extra meals!"
The old man, wearing a flour-stained white apron, chuckled as he wiped his hands on the fabric. His eyes gleamed with warmth as he winked at them.
"My, my! You two are like a little storm sweeping through! Alright, alright, I'll have your orders ready in no time, young sirs!"
Nearby, Grandpa Arthur sat in quiet amusement, a broad smile softening the lines on his wrinkled face. Leo noticed him and turned excitedly.
"What about you, Grandpa? Aren't you going to order something?"
The old man smiled, patting his grandson's head gently before speaking in his deep, calm voice.
"It's alright, my boy. I'm not hungry. You two go ahead and eat as much as you like."
Leo's face lit up with delight. "You're the best, Grandpa!"
But what caught his attention next was Evelyn, sitting beside him with a hesitant expression. Then, as if gathering her courage, she looked up at Grandpa Arthur with wide eyes and spoke in a shy yet sincere voice.
"Thank you, Grandpa Arthur."
The old man raised an eyebrow slightly before offering her a warm smile, resting a gentle hand on her head.
"You're welcome, little one. I hope you enjoy your meal."
At that moment, Evelyn leaned forward slightly, hesitating for a second before whispering,
"Leo is lucky to have you as his grandfather."
Arthur chuckled quietly, glancing at his grandson, who was pretending not to hear, before replying,
"And I believe he's lucky to have such a kind friend like you."
A faint blush crept onto Evelyn's cheeks, but before she could respond, Leo suddenly leaned in with a sly grin.
"We're paying for all of this from her savings, and we're ordering as many dishes as possible… just to see how much she can handle before she faints from shock!"
Evelyn's eyes widened in horror, her expression shifting to one of concern as she stammered,
"That… sounds like a terrible idea, Leo… I don't think that's a good plan."
But Leo let out a short laugh, scratching the back of his head proudly.
"Oh, but it is! Only a genius could come up with something this brilliant!"
In a flash, a gentle but firm smack landed on his head. Grandpa Arthur, who had been silently listening, raised an eyebrow as he spoke in a dry, amused tone.
"You little troublemaker, don't go filling Evelyn's head with your wicked schemes."
Leo rubbed his head with a mock pained expression before flashing a half-smile in defense.
"I was just joking, Grandpa! Did you really take that seriously?"
The old man sighed, shaking his head before turning to Evelyn with a broad smile.
"Honestly, I never expected such a sweet and quiet girl like you to be friends with this little rascal."
Evelyn glanced at Grandpa, then at Leo, who was pretending not to hear again. She finally spoke with a clear voice and the innocent confidence of a child.
"But Leo isn't a bad person. He's actually… a good one. Even if he is… sometimes annoying."
Leo's head snapped up, staring at her in disbelief.
"Wait! 'Sometimes annoying'? That's unfair!"
Grandpa Arthur laughed heartily, while Evelyn simply giggled. Their laughter was soon interrupted by the sound of a bell, announcing the arrival of their meals.
Uncle Joe placed the plates before them, each dish steaming with warmth and releasing an enticing aroma. The three of them dug in, their laughter mingling with the clinking of spoons and the lively hum of the café.
As Evelyn chewed thoughtfully, she suddenly lifted her gaze to Leo and spoke with quiet gratitude.
"Do you remember, Leo? When you saved me from those bullies?"
Leo set down his spoon, staring at her for a moment before smirking playfully.
"Which part? When they were trying to mess with you, or when they punched me?"
Evelyn giggled softly before continuing.
"They were using their magic to lift my things away, laughing as I struggled to reach them… I was so scared, and no one was there to help me. But you, even though you have no magic, stood up to them so bravely."
Leo let out a small chuckle as he recalled the memory, muttering under his breath.
"Yeah… I stood up to them. And then I got punched in the face."
Grandpa Arthur chuckled as well, shaking his head as he looked at his grandson with a mix of pride and amusement.
"Bravery without strength is just recklessness, my boy."
But Evelyn, smiling softly, continued in a gentle voice.
"But you were the first person to stand beside me… And from that day on, I wasn't as afraid as I used to be."
Leo stared at her for a moment before averting his gaze, mumbling under his breath.
"Well… at least it wasn't all for nothing."
-------
At that moment, the scene slowly faded, and Leo found himself standing in front of the café once more, surrounded by the twinkling lights of the city.
He still remembered everything… Every little detail that had brought him and Evelyn together in this place.
Turning toward her, he found her gazing at him with the same warm smile he had known since childhood, as if to say, "I'm still here, just like always."
Evelyn's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gestured toward the old wooden door of the café, a place that seemed to hold a thousand memories infused with the scent of the past.
"Come on! I want to show you something special."
Leo pushed the door open, and immediately, a wave of warm, rich scents embraced them—cinnamon, honey, and spices blended into an irresistible invitation, as if whispering secrets of nostalgia.
He paused for a moment at the threshold, taking in a deep breath before a soft, nostalgic smile spread across his face.
"It's just the same…" he murmured, almost to himself, before adding with a lopsided grin,
"Even the smell hasn't changed. It's like time stopped here."
Jonathan glanced around, his gaze keen despite his usual reserved demeanor. He slipped his hands into his pockets before remarking,
"The place is simple... but it has a certain charm. Quite interesting, really."
Aline nodded in agreement, closing her eyes briefly as she inhaled the rich aroma filling the air. When she opened them again, she spoke with admiration,
"Simple, yet incredibly cozy… And this smell? Amazing! It feels like it's calling me to taste everything on the menu!"
Lilia could no longer hold back. Raising her hands dramatically, she exclaimed with overwhelming enthusiasm,
"Oh my God! This scent is absolutely enchanting! I feel like devouring everything here!"
Before anyone could respond, a deep, lively voice interrupted them from behind,
"Leo? Evelyn? Is that you?"
They all turned to find an elderly man standing behind them. His short gray hair hinted at years of experience, while his lively features reflected surprise and joy at seeing them.
Evelyn's face lit up with delight as she stepped forward,
"Uncle Joe! I didn't expect you to still be working here!"
Uncle Joe let out a hearty laugh, spreading his arms as if to embrace them all,
"Of course! I could never leave this place—it's a part of me."
Then, looking at them with eyes full of memories, he added warmly,
"Oh, it's been years... but how could I ever forget my favorite little customers? The mischievous boy and the silver princess!"
Leo chuckled, crossing his arms,
"Hah, you still remember that nickname? I thought you'd forgotten!"
"How could I?" Uncle Joe grinned before turning to the others, pointing at Leo playfully,
"This little rascal was always up to something—planning pranks and coming up with excuses to get extra servings."
Evelyn shook her head, laughing,
"And you always went along with his crazy schemes, didn't you?"
Uncle Joe laughed even more, patting Leo's shoulder before turning to Evelyn with affectionate eyes,
"And you, you were the silver princess—always polite and graceful, but your eyes would sparkle whenever it came to food! Especially my honey apple pies."
The whole group burst into laughter, and Lilia placed her hands on her hips,
"So, if Leo was the troublemaker, does that mean Evelyn just quietly ate everything without anyone noticing?"
Evelyn smirked, raising an eyebrow,
"I'll never reveal my secrets so easily!"
Uncle Joe gestured for them to follow him inside, his voice brimming with enthusiasm,
"Come on! You can't make me reminisce about the past without letting you taste something! I'll whip up something special for you tonight!"
Excited cheers erupted as the group made their way inside, laughter and warmth filling the air.
Just before stepping further in, Uncle Joe suddenly paused. Turning to Leo with a mischievous look, he crossed his arms and spoke in a half-playful, half-accusing tone,
"By the way, Evelyn has been coming here quite often lately, but you, young man, have been missing for far too long… Did you find another favorite restaurant and betray me?"
Leo raised his hands in surrender before placing one over his chest in an overly dramatic fashion,
"How could you say such a thing, Uncle Joe? I am deeply wounded! The truth is, I embarked on a profound journey to uncover the secrets of cooking… But alas, I failed miserably and found no place that could compare to your legendary kitchen!"
Evelyn shook her head with a chuckle,
"Translation: He was just too lazy to come here."
Leo gasped, clutching his heart in mock shock,
"Evelyn! How could you expose me like this in front of everyone?"
Uncle Joe roared with laughter, ruffling Leo's hair,
"Well, at least you're honest about your failure!"
Uncle Joe chuckled and said, "I know I'm the best! But tell me, how have you been these days?"
Leo crossed his arms and replied, "I'm working at Joga Mart now."
Uncle Joe's smile widened, and he nodded in admiration. "Joga Mart, huh? That giant corporation that dominates markets everywhere? They have branches across all continents! In fact, I visited one of their massive branches in the Kingdom of Oria during a business trip a few years ago. It was truly impressive. Everything there ran so smoothly, as if the entire place was a giant machine that never stopped operating."
He paused for a moment, furrowing his brows before lowering his voice. "But… there are some strange rumors about the company."
Leo looked at him curiously. "Rumors? What do you mean?"
Uncle Joe leaned in slightly and spoke in a serious tone, "There's talk that they use slaves from magical towers, forcing them to work until their energy is completely drained through advanced machines that extract every bit of their magic, leaving them as nothing more than empty husks."
Leo's eyes widened in shock. "What?! That's impossible! I work there, and I've never heard anything like that!"
Uncle Joe quickly raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Hahaha! Maybe it's just baseless gossip! Anyway, we now have an employee at a massive corporation and a world-famous singer! Looks like my old customers have become big shots!"
He waved his hand as he turned toward the kitchen. "I'll go prepare the food now. Make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the conversation."
As Uncle Joe walked away, Leo remained silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then, a voice broke the quiet.
Jonathan, who had been sitting quietly the entire time, finally spoke. He lifted his head, his eyes carrying the weight of years of exhaustion. "Actually… I think there might be some truth to what Uncle Joe said."
Everyone turned to him in surprise. Leo frowned. "What makes you say that?"
Jonathan's voice was calm but heavy with fatigue. "One of my colleagues told me he noticed groups of slaves being brought into a Joga Mart factory. Most of them were from magical races—dwarves, lizardfolk, elves. But… none of them ever came back out. There are whispers that their energy is being drained."
Evelyn's expression darkened with worry. "That's horrifying… If it's true, that's a crime against humanity!"
Lilia nodded. "That would explain a few things… There have been voices trying to expose the company's policies, but they always disappear strangely fast."
Ellen furrowed her brows. "But we don't have any concrete proof, do we? We can't just assume these rumors are true."
Jonathan let out a tired sigh, shifting his gaze to Leo before speaking in a quiet, almost reluctant tone. "By the way, there's something else you need to know, Leo. That project I handed to you… it wasn't the opportunity you thought it was."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Jonathan gave him a faint smile, but it was pale, like a mask hiding something heavier beneath. "I didn't give you that project because I wanted to give you a chance. I gave it to you because I couldn't keep climbing any higher in the company. The further I went, the more I saw… things I wasn't prepared to see. Horrible, disgusting things that I couldn't just ignore."
There was a bitterness in his voice, as if he were talking about nightmares that haunted him even when he was awake. His hand clenched into a fist on the table, his knuckles turning white. Then, in a low voice, he continued,
"At first, I was just like you… excited, optimistic, thinking I could make a difference in this place. But…"
He let out a dry, bitter laugh before whispering, "I was just another cog in the machine. Nothing more than a small piece in a massive system that devours everything in its path."
Leo was silent for a moment before giving a faint smile. Then, in a calm voice, he said, "So… you wanted to escape."
Jonathan lowered his head, staring at the table as he muttered, "Yeah… I wanted to escape."
A heavy silence followed. Then, after a moment, he said, "I'm sorry. I never wanted to drag you into this."
But Leo shook his head and placed a reassuring hand on Jonathan's shoulder, offering him a warm smile. "No need to apologize. Honestly, I was happy about the opportunity, no matter the reason."
Another silence settled over them. Then, in a quiet voice tinged with sadness and frustration, Leo said, "But in the end, even if these rumors are true… what can I do about it?"
No one answered.
Leo exhaled softly, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "I'm just… nothing. A mere insect."
Ellen clenched her fists and snapped, "Don't say that!"
But Leo shook his head, his tone steady but broken. "I know that all of you are hunters. Even if you're not the strongest, you still have some power, some mana… But me? I don't even have a single drop of mana. In this world, someone like me is nothing more than a worthless shadow."
Jonathan watched him in silence, his eyes reflecting something familiar—pain. Then, in a quiet voice, he said, "You are not worthless, Leo."
Leo lifted his gaze, meeting Jonathan's eyes. In them, he saw the same helplessness he felt.
Jonathan turned his head away and exhaled deeply before murmuring, "Sometimes, I think that those without magic are the luckiest ones… because they don't have to see the hell I've seen."
Once again, silence fell between them.
But this time, it carried a different weight.
A weight that only those who knew true powerlessness could understand.